sctp: detect and prevent references to a freed transport in sendmsg
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 18 fixed, 4 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-416 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: detect and prevent references to a freed transport in sendmsg sctp_sendmsg() re-uses associations and transports when possible by doing a lookup based on the socket endpoint and the message destination address, and then sctp_sendmsg_to_asoc() sets the selected transport in all the message chunks to be sent. There's a possible race condition if another thread triggers the removal of that selected transport, for instance, by explicitly unbinding an address with setsockopt(SCTP_SOCKOPT_BINDX_REM), after the chunks have been set up and before the message is sent. This can happen if the send buffer is full, during the period when the sender thread temporarily releases the socket lock in sctp_wait_for_sndbuf(). This causes the access to the transport data in sctp_outq_select_transport(), when the association outqueue is flushed, to result in a use-after-free read. This change avoids this scenario by having sctp_transport_free() signal the freeing of the transport, tagging it as "dead". In order to do this, the patch restores the "dead" bit in struct sctp_transport, which was removed in commit 47faa1e4c50e ("sctp: remove the dead field of sctp_transport"). Then, in the scenario where the sender thread has released the socket lock in sctp_wait_for_sndbuf(), the bit is checked again after re-acquiring the socket lock to detect the deletion. This is done while holding a reference to the transport to prevent it from being freed in the process. If the transport was deleted while the socket lock was relinquished, sctp_sendmsg_to_asoc() will return -EAGAIN to let userspace retry the send. The bug was found by a private syzbot instance (see the error report [1] and the C reproducer that triggers it [2]).
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 3.18.128 to before 3.19; 4.4.166 to before 4.5; 4.9.142 to before 4.10; 4.14.85 to before 4.15; 4.19.6 to before 4.20 | 3.19, 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 4.20 and later | 5.4.293, 5.10.237, 5.15.181, 6.1.135, 6.6.88, 6.12.24, 6.13.12, 6.14.3, 6.15 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 3.18.128 to before 3.19; 4.4.166 to before 4.5; 4.9.142 to before 4.10; 4.14.85 to before 4.15; 4.19.6 to before 4.20 Fixed in 3.19, 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.20 and later Fixed in 5.4.293, 5.10.237, 5.15.181, 6.1.135, 6.6.88, 6.12.24, 6.13.12, 6.14.3, 6.15 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.18.128 to before 3.19; 4.4.166 to before 4.5; 4.9.142 to before 4.10; 4.14.85 to before 4.15; 4.19.6 to before 5.4.293; 5.5 to before 5.10.237; 5.11 to before 5.15.181; 5.16 to before 6.1.135; 6.2 to before 6.6.88; 6.7 to before 6.12.24; 6.13 to before 6.13.12; 6.14 to before 6.14.3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.15:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.15 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 11.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.18.128 to before 3.19; 4.4.166 to before 4.5; 4.9.142 to before 4.10; 4.14.85 to before 4.15; 4.19.6 to before 5.4.293; 5.5 to before 5.10.237; 5.11 to before 5.15.181; 5.16 to before 6.1.135; 6.2 to before 6.6.88; 6.7 to before 6.12.24; 6.13 to before 6.13.12; 6.14 to before 6.14.3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.15:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.15 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 11.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 3.19, 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.20
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.4.293, 5.10.237, 5.15.181, 6.1.135, 6.6.88, 6.12.24, 6.13.12, 6.14.3, 6.15
Red Hat 6 advisories
- RHSA-2026:1441 Released 2026-01-28 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-284.154.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-284.154.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-284.154.1.el9_2 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) bpftool-7.0.0-284.154.1.el9_2, kernel-5.14.0-284.154.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-5.14.0-284.154.1.el9_2 +29
- RHSA-2026:1443 Released 2026-01-28 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.154.1.rt14.439.el9_2 +11
- RHSA-2026:0576 Released 2026-01-14 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) kernel-debug-devel-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0, kernel-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0, kernel-devel-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) bpftool-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0, kernel-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0, kernel-abi-stablelists-5.14.0-70.161.1.el9_0 +14
Show 3 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:0537 Released 2026-01-14 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.161.1.rt21.233.el9_0 +7
- RHSA-2026:0489 Released 2026-01-13 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, libperf-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.106.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:0457 Released 2026-01-12 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.77.1.el9_6 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0489 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0457 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0576 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1441 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0489 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0457 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0576 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1441 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0489 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0457 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0537 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0537 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0489 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0457 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0489 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0457 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-23142
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-q7q7-437c-qxh7
- 2026-10-16 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
Patch 9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/547762250220325d350d0917a7231480e0f4142b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3257386be6a7eb8a8bfc9cbfb746df4eb4fc70e8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f7df4899299ce4662e5f95badb9dbc57cc37fa5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a63f4fb0efb4e69efd990cbb740a848679ec4b0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6fefcb71d246baaf3bacdad1af7ff50ebcfe652
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e7c37fadb3be1fc33073fcf10aa96d166caa697
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5bc83bdf5f5b8010d1ca5a4555537e62413ab4e2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e5068b7e0ae0a54f6cfd03a2f80977da657f1ee
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f1a69a940de58b16e8249dff26f74c8cc59b32be
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Sources
- CVE-2025-23142 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-23142 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-q7q7-437c-qxh7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2025-23142 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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